"The Nun of a Kind" collection celebrates the "sister" in all of us....each sharing different "habits" and interests. Many of the "sisters" in the collection were born when customers needed an item for special friends, co-workers, and family members....and they are "nun-denominational"...no better way to say "You are like a Sister to me!"

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

from special friends this past Christmas...one, handmade by a talented knitter, and another, put together by a creative friend. Cathy, of "ZigZagStitches", and knitter extraordinaire, knit this beautiful cowl out of her handspun yarn. So cozy, warm and beautiful!

....and Carol stopped by with this gift....and I will be using the idea for this many times in the future! The gift of handmade treats, served up in a huge wine glass, along with a bottle of wine, and two magazines with which to "catch up" on the year's celebrity gossip, and some fashion ideas, make this a perfect gift for friends. (stop reading this if you are on my list....I want you to think that this was MY idea!)

Sunday, December 27, 2009

....a whole year! And, to celebrate, "Nun of a Kind" is offering a "blog-i-versary" special! When ordering multiple orders of the "Sisters" at the "Etsy" site, a special offer has been extended for the month of January! Time to "stock up" for all of those special "sisters" in your life!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

a day makes! After having one of the dreariest (in terms of weather!) of Christmas days, due to a day long rain and overcast skies, this December 26th finds us in the midst of a beautiful sunny day....with no snow! Just something about a sunny day that lifts the spirits in general!

Pictured here is a special order as a gift for a young lady who was actually entering the convent to become a nun. Obviously, the person who ordered this gift knew this young lady to have a bright disposition, and specifically asked for the "sun" to be shining above....

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

included "Nun of a Kind" in his/her plans to surprise a friend for Christmas. I love special orders and this one was so much fun of which to be a part! The recipient of said gift had always wanted a nun doll as a child....and, alas, never did receive one. Thanks to a very special friend, she now has a "Sister Gloria in Excelsis Deo", which was modified to fit in size-wise with her collection of "Byer's Choice" carollers. While constructing this special "sister", I was able to use some "Byers" type carolers which I own to try to get a more suitable size. The person who commissioned the project did have the facts straight, though, estimating a 13-inch size as the best "match". To add to the suspense of the mystery gift, the customer sent a letter which I transcribed onto a gift tag to send along with "Sister Gloria". The only thing that could have made this whole situation better would be to have been a "fly on the wall" when the recipient opened the package only to discover that Santa was, at long last, granting her Christmas wish!

I know that I will be kept up to date as to whether or not the identity of the "giver" is discovered. I also know that this person was a great friend to think of such a gift, researching as to where one might find a gift like this, and to follow through with all of the wonderful details (like the letter!) ....and as for any hand that I had in this, I am thinking that Santa may want me to take a post in the workshop next year to create more "sister" gifts for special "Sisters"! (signing off now, and adjusting my elf ears......)

Monday, December 21, 2009

....the huge storm that has hit the eastern coast with such wintry fury! Although it is frosty here, the streets for the most part are allowing for safe travel, which is so important at this time of year.

Now that I have "jinxed" it, I guess that we had better get the snowblower out, along with all of the winter apparel. More than our usual share of the "white stuff" last year, even though we typically do miss the brunt of most storms. Nothing like tempting fate, though, by announcing that we don't have much snow to cause the skies to open!

Safe travels to all during this holiday season....and hoping for a little "dusting" of snow for a white Christmas!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

...and this is a "sister" who has been requested many times, and is finally joining the "order". "Sister Maida Block", the sister of two fellows who do income tax (you may have heard of them..."H" and "R"??), carries her nine patch of black and white that she has proudly assembled for a special quilt. Creating these "sisters" is, oddly enough, the reason that there was no quilt made by me for this year's quilt guild show....too busy spending time with these ladies in black and white!

Two of these special "sisters" are heading out to the buyer tomorrow, along with two other special orders which were more personalized. Look for many more "sisters" to be announced during the upcoming year....

Saturday, December 12, 2009

and all through the house.....not a single decoration!! The show that I did for six days has taken away the time that I usually use to get the house ready, and all of the "bins" of decorations that I have collected throughout the years remain untouched. So unlike this "sister"....however, some of the goods will make their way out in the next few days for a family event we are hosting....certainly not the same (dare I say!) excess of year's past, but a decent representation. That is the plan...however, there are some custom orders for the "sisters" still filtering in, and that has a way of changing all of my well-laid plans.

On that note, a new "sister" has been created...a picture to be posted later. Customers have been requesting a quilting "sister", and finally, one has been created, "Sister Maida Block".....two of this particular "sister" will be heading to good homes on Monday as special Christmas gifts. It seems no matter how many "Sisters" are in the existing group, there are always suggestions and requests for different ones that were not dreamed up yet. Look for more in the new year! Many more on the "to create" list!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Returned from the longest show I have ever attended, and, given that it was a first time experience, was very happy with the outcome, and with the response. Because I was exhibiting for the second half of the show, the "set up" for my booth was at 5 a.m. of the first day of my show. Thanks to two helpful "volunteers" (did I give them any choice??) we made our way to the venue and loaded up the stock on huge "dollies", and managed to get the items to the booth in two "runs".

The first photo shows the booth in the midst of construction, with some of the stock and display on the "dolly". Three heads are better than one at this early hour of the morning, and we managed to get the booth together in time for the 11:00 opening with an hour to spare, and spent that hour seeking anything with caffeine! The long day extended until close at 10:00 p.m. Even though the first day was a Tuesday, and not a typical "shopping day", the response to the "Sisters" was very favorable, and in addition to making customers laugh when they read the sign with all of the "sisters" names, the sales met my expectations, particularly for a first effort at the show. Cannot say enough good things about the organization, the treatment of the vendors, and the show in general. Definitely on my "to do" list for next year! Many thanks to Cathy, who weathered the whole show with me! Extra thanks also to Brenda, Ty, Jim, and Ted who helped so much get this "act" together!

Visit the "Sisterhood"

"Nun of a Kind" at "Etsy"!

The "Bella Sinclair" Award

Thanks, Sue!

"Etsy"!

"Sticks and Strings"...

For crocheted and handknit items, (particularly for babies, toddlers, and other little folk) please visit www.sticksandstrings.etsy.com Currently available, "Dapper Dude", "Baby Gaga", and other selections....

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All contents including text, images and designs on this site are copyright Hearthside Craftworks 2009. The content may not be published or replicated without permission. Photos from website and greeting cards are copyright Hearthside Craftworks/WynneArts 2011.